TO LIVE AND DIE IN SAN DIEGO!
I never thought I'd ever be exhorting the wonders of O.E! But hold up! Wait a minute! I ain't talking about Old English malt liquor ! I'm talking about the San Diego Crew OLD ENGLISH! made up of Nothin'less and Savior Self.
Self described Thrash Rap Straight out of National City! Having been to San Diego I can understand why these dudes are so fly.
How did I hear of Old English? I clicked on Gonja Sufi's Facebook page and spotted a link to the 'Welcome' track and if it's good enough for Sufi it's sure as hell good enough for me. The track starts of with what i think are twanging guitars, reminiscent of the Deliverance Appalachian banjo vibe. For sure I knew I was in for an atmospheric ride. The first verse further hooked me in
Welcome to my imagination I'm glad you made it
Poverty poetry pouring pennies for peasants
never less than the essence
infections a deadly weapon
there's no rescue, the rents due
my pops died of H when i was 18
that's why I hate fiends...
Dude's rhyming with intent! You can feel the heart and the realness.
It's a stylish video with panoramic vista shots of San Diego and tattooed locals. The conclusion features a fantastic excerpt from a Jimi Hendrix interview in which he breaks down artist integrity, intentions and the concept of mo money mo problems. I have the urge to strap down certain artists and force them to listen to Jimi's word over and over again Guantanamo Bay style! As Method Man said on 36 chambers "Torture Muthafucka!". Jimi says "There's so many sleeping people" and he ain't wrong!. Whoever made the decision to add this clip is a genius!
Old English's' blog is also peep worthy, you should check it out. 'Welcome' is the single from their forthcoming album 'Band In Amerikkka', can't wait for that to hit. Their bandcamp has a lot of good stuff some free some for how much you think it's worth paying for. Gonja Sufi has a track with them as well which is a bonus.
I am now also aware of the emcee "Autopsy" also from San Diego, who I spotted on O.E's blog the track Dim Mak is currently on repeat play! Some of the artists mentioned in this blog piece give away a lot of free music much of which I'd be happy to pay for!
Between Chuuwee, O.E. Gonja Sufi, Autopsy Kalifornia is killing it! West Coast renaissance!:) My ears are loving it!
